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Draft Day: Will Levis Mock Draft Roundup

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© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Since Mark Stoops arrived in Lexington in 2013, he has had 3 players, Bud Dupree, Josh Allen, and Jamin Davis, chosen in the First Round of the NFL Draft so far. This year he hopes to add Will Levis to that list.

Here is Will Levis’ draft projections and grades ahead of tonights 2023 NFL Draft.

Will Levis Projected Pick Selections

247Sports: 4th (Indianapolis Colts)

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CBS Sports, Dan Schneier: 2nd (Houston Texans)

ESPN, Mel Kiper Jr: 4th (Indianapolis Colts)

NFL.com: 12th (Houston Texans)

PFF: 4th (Indianapolis Colts)

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Sports Illustrated, SI.com: 12th (Houston Texans)

On the surface, Will Levis has been one of, if not, one of the most scrutinized quarterbacks coming out of college in recent memory. In this draft, he is considered the top quarterback by some, and he’s considered the fourth or fifth-best quarterback by others. According to PFF.com, Levis is the overall 7th-best prospect in this year’s draft.

Most notably, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has praised Will Levis since the start of the previous college football season. “Levis has a rocket launcher for an arm and makes some “wow” throws. That has gotten the Penn State transfer into trouble at times, but it’s clear watching him that he believes he can fit the ball into any window. My comparison for him is Matthew Stafford.”

Kentucky fans should expect to see Levis go off the draft board early on Thursday night, especially within the top ten. More than likely the team that selects Levis will plug him in and expect him to start day one. The Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders are all teams that have no QB for the future and have been linked to drafting Levis. The Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all quarterback-needy teams that could look to trade up into the top ten.

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Will Levis has met with the following teams publicly: Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans.

When asked about how his pre-draft process has gone and having meetings with teams with the top picks, Levis said “Insane, not alot of people can say that. Whether or not they pick me..to have that experience is just very unreal.”

Rich Eisen said this is one of the “most wide open and least predictable” drafts that he can recall. It will be in interesting who takes a chance on Levis and where he lands. The Indianapolis Colts have been the leading favorite in drafting Levis with reports saying they prefer Levis over Florida QB Anthony Richardson at pick #4. But all of that could change.

The 2023 NFL Draft starts at tonight at 8 PM Eastern time.

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Running Back Revamp: Kentucky Adds Former Oklahoma, New Mexico State Transfer

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New Mexico State University Athletics

The Wildcats bolstered their backfield with the addition of former Oklahoma and New Mexico State running back Seth McGowan on April 20, per KSR’s Nick Roush.

Standing at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, McGowan brings size and downhill power to Kentucky’s offense. Coming off a productive season at New Mexico State, he rushed for 823 yards and three touchdowns while adding 23 receptions for 277 yards and three more scores through the air.

A former four-star recruit in the class of 2019, McGowan originally signed with Oklahoma and logged 370 rushing yards, three touchdowns and 201 receiving yards with one touchdown during his lone season with the Sooners.

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On May 7, 2021, McGowan was removed from Oklahoma following his involvement in a legal case in which he was arrested and charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The charges were ultimately dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to larceny from a person at nighttime in December of that year.

After a stint at NAIA school Texas College in 2022, where he did not see game action, McGowan continued his path back to Division I football, playing six games with Butler Community College before transferring to New Mexico State for the 2024 season.

Now, with his past behind him, McGowan has a chance to turn the page and contribute in a major way to the Wildcats’ offense.

Running backs coach Jay Boulware, who helped Oklahoma sign McGowan out of high school, likely played a role in bringing him to Kentucky, where he is expected to have one year of eligibility remaining.

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Along with Nebraska transfer Dante Dowdell, McGowan could be a part of a versatile and punishing backfield tandem for the Wildcats. While Dowdell brings a physical, downhill rushing style, McGowan’s ability to contribute in both the run and pass game adds a dynamic layer to offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s pro-style system, which emphasizes balance and explosive playmaking.

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Jamon Dumas-Johnson: A NFL Draft Steal

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Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (2) makes the sign of the cross while taking a knee before the game.
Carter Skaggs | Imagn

Before he transferred to Kentucky, Jamon Dumas-Johnson was an All-American at Georgia, with waves to at least test the NFL draft after winning a National Championship. However, with the decision to play his last collegiate season as a Wildcat, Dumas-Johnson was a cornerstone piece for the Kentucky defense, finishing the season with 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks during his 11 starts for the team. 

His athleticism spoke volumes at Kentucky football’s NFL pro day, where current NFL draft boards now list the linebacker as one of the best athletes at the position and has earned himself a “top 10” feel ahead of the draft. Before pro day, publications such as Bleacher Report had him listed as No. 13 at his position. 

Dumas-Johnson proved himself with the highest vertical jump (37.5) and the longest broad jump (10.60) out of the Wildcats who competed in said events, and ran an impressive best 4.50 40-yard dash. At 245 pounds, he also managed to press 16 reps of 225, which could technically be “better” compared to NFL standards, but is impressive nonetheless in hindsight.

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At 23 years old, this linebacker exploits explosiveness, agility and can hawk down any playmaker on the field. Out the 31 NFL teams that attended the event (a Cleveland Browns representative did not attend), one will be getting a prize steal of the draft with Dumas-Johnson. 

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Alex Raynor: A Rare Gem In This Year’s NFL Draft

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Kentucky Wildcats place kicker Alex Raynor (16) lines up a kick.
Jordan Prather | Imagn

Alex Raynor had an illustrious season for Kentucky last year, being named to First-Team All-SEC, as a finalist for the Lou Groza award and as SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.

As the record holder for the longest field goal in program history, and arguably one of, if not the, most consistent kickers to ever be a Wildcat, Raynor now looks to the NFL Draft in the next chapter of his book. 

Recently, at Kentucky football’s NFL Pro Day on Tuesday, March 11, Raynor kicked off the event with his workout. 

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Although he would miss a routine kick for him inside of the 45, he would continue to move back, nailing a 55-yard kick and nearly making a 60-yard kick. 

The best moments of his workout came when Raynor would line up behind the UK logo inside of Nutter Field House and would nail a 65-yard field goal.

That, although it’s an indoor kick and is not faced with the NFL pressure, would be one of the longest field goals in NFL history. 

Historically, it’s extremely rare for kickers to be drafted any higher than the 6th, more commonly going in the late rounds on the third day. 

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However, Raynor would hold as one of the rare occasions to go higher than projected, due to his historic year as a Wildcat.

Wherever the young man from Georgia ends up in the pros, don’t be surprised if you hear his name every reoccurring Sunday.

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